Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net In response to Annabel Bisset’s current comment to us about the NJDEP’s attitude towards underground garages.
On March 22, 2020, Blogfinger posted an article about the OGNED application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regarding the North End project. The application was prepared by a consultant (LOMAX)
The application contains 400 pages, but we all have known for a long time that environmental issues would be paramount when it was time to go to the state DEP for approvals.
In that article (March 2020) we posted the cover letter and a map. We questioned a number of provisions contained in that application. We have re-posted that piece above.
In that March 2020 piece we mentioned the controversial planned underground garage. This is what we said:
“I don’t see any mention of the underground garage. Would that not be an important environmental concern given that this project has boundaries on a natural lake and on an ocean? Have they given up the plan for an underground garage? If not, why isn’t it shown in the enclosed site plan?”
On April 15, the DEP sent a letter to OGNED saying that more information was needed. That letter is linked below.
The April 2020, deficiency letter identifies a number of issues, but not the underground garage.
Over the years, in our many articles about the North End, we and quite a few of our readers questioned the environmental impact of that proposed garage.
Then, in May, 2020, according to an email to their members from the Ocean Grove Homeowners Association, the DEP has declared the application to be “deficient” on the grounds that “no subsurface enclosures are permitted.”
Blogfinger has not seen that alleged garage denial letter.
It’s hard to imagine how OGNED can do their huge project without that garage, unless, of course, they pull strings in Neptune and get approval for a 150 car above ground garage on the surface. If they do that, there should be an insurrection in town.
Maybe this will provide an opportunity for the CMA and for Neptune Township, like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz, to get a heart and do something beautiful and grand at the North End.
And, as usual, the Groaners offer no opinions about this remarkable happening. When will they find the courage, like the Lion, to become activists and get tough on behalf of we the people?
This situation provides an opportunity to make noise, once again, about the misguided and selfish plan for the North End of Ocean Grove. Maybe some citizens can form an ad hoc group to push for new ideas at the North End. Don’t let this upheaval go to waste.
Let’s hope that our faith in the DEP will be reinforced.
Also note our January 2020 piece about the North End, with 20 comments. This analytic Blogfinger post references events in 2019.
Tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight
JACK HALEY from the Wizard of Oz
And from the ‘Useless Decorations Department” of the HOA comes a map of historic OG which was included in the email. But why did they include that map? Who knows? No explanation.
This map is very early, but no date. c. 1879. Click to enlarge and study.
But while we are here, note the area of the OGNED North End. It contains 19 lots for single family homes. Jack Bredin tells us that those lots were originally designated for ministers and their families. And before Neptune changed the zoning in 2007, it was zoned only for 25 single family homes.
There is nothing there to suggest a project such as has been proposed by the CMA/OGNED/Neptune Township/OGHOA.
CMA Pres. Badger tried to argue that the current proposal would fulfill some sort of historic vision for the area, but if historic vision is what they want, then how about tent village part II or a wonderful park for all.
Osborne, the founder of OG, was offered a money making opportunity to join with Bradley (AP founder) to make our “sister cities” into a great investment. But Osborne declined saying that making money was not part of the original OG vision. No wonder the CMA has been going under-cover on this project.
The Township Committee needs to be held responsible if it’s true. “There is systematic misuse and misapplication of State Land Use Law that goes on, not only in OG, but also in their Land Use Boards” with the exception of the Historic Preservation Commission.
In October 2019 Mayor Rizzo signed with OGNED what she called “the new redevelopment plan.”
In November 2019, papers were presented to the Planning Board regarding their vote on the “new” plan.
The HOA complained that changes had been made for this “new plan” that differed from the legal 2008 plan that was supposed to be approved as it was written back then including the original underground garage.
This raises the question of what the DEP was told about the garage design. Did they get the same design that Rizzo signed off on? Or did they get the original underground design? Or did they get something else?
Then, knowing the DEP would reject the plan, the Township mayor could stand on a table and wave the “new” garage plan that Rizzo signed and announce that our new above ground garage would be ready to go.
It sounds like a conspiracy, but who knows?
The HPC wrote an analysis at that time which condemned the plan but was ignored.
Then the Planning Board approved the plan in November 2019. We know of no one on the Planning Board who complained about changes.
We also have a comment by an anonymous source who says that the plan for the underground garage had been changed to create an above-ground design rather than the underground levels of the original plan. Somehow those alleged changes to the garage plan never were released publicly.
Some one should review that 400 page DEP application sent by OGNED. There should be an investigation.
Maybe the underground garage was included in the proposal knowing that it would be rejected by DEP. This way the developers could find a justification for a less costly above-ground garage.
It would also seem to put the decision for such a structure on the Township. It is also apparent from reading the letter that the denial is highly technical, requiring someone with specific expertise in governing environmental regulations to understand and capably address the issues involved. The Township has their engineer?
Of course, this is an opportunity to remind everyone that the Camp Meeting owns the ocean 1500 feet out from the shore, presumably to prevent undesirables once prohibited in Ocean Grove from gaining entrance to the town from the water. Why not put the garage out there in the water?
This sounds like a set-up; a conspiracy to turn this around to get an above ground garage.
We have been told for over 11 years that an underground garage would happen when the project begins, but maybe OGNED is looking for an out.
“Democracy dies in darkness.”
The letter indicates that there are issues besides the garage, including the size of the “flood hazard area,” “stormwater management rules,” pervious soil, elevation of the retail area, “urban” area, and Wesley Lakes “riparian zone.”
Also note that the “Deficiency Letter” is from the Division of Land Use Regulation, a division of DEP.
The original application said that the applicant was Neptune Township, but this letter is sent to OGNED (OG North End Redevelopment LLC) and names the two men who appeared at the HOA to represent OGNED: Joel Brudner and William Gannon.; both give Belmar as their address.
It’s too bad that the HOA doesn’t have an expert lawyer available to review such documents. The Groaners made no effort to interpret the contents of the letter to Grovers.—-PG